Jim: The James Foley Story

Name: Jim: The James Foley Story
Genre: Documentary
Released: January 28, 2016
Duration: 113 min
Rating: 73

2016

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Generally favorable reviews based on 8 Critic Reviews

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Generally favorable reviews based on 8 Ratings

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6.9

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6.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 8 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Home Box Office (HBO) | Release Date: January 28, 2016

Summary: An in-depth look at the life and work of American journalist James Foley, who was killed by ISIS terrorists in 2014.

Director: Brian Oakes

Genre(s): Documentary

Runtime: 113 min

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Critic Reviews

The Playlist Katie Walsh

Jan 28, 2016

It’s an incredibly moving film that encompasses a wide scope of global issues through the intimate remembrance of one life. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Brian Tallerico

Feb 5, 2016

Directed by an old family friend, “Jim” is a moving portrait of courage, but it is most of all a concerted effort to take back the life of James Foley. Read full review

Kenji Fujishima

Feb 10, 2016

Jim: The James Foley Story is more than just a tribute to a fallen journalist. It’s a deeply moving testament to a man who dared to face the worst of humanity and somehow managed to maintain his sense of empathy in spite of it all. Read full review

Guy Lodge

Jan 28, 2016

Oakes’ film may not share its subject’s hard-headed journalistic drive, but as an articulation of grief — directed by a childhood friend, with significant participation from the Foley family — it’s undeniably moving. Read full review

Martin Tsai

Jan 28, 2016

Foley's family members, colleagues and prison cell mates vividly recount his 2011 imprisonment in Libya, his difficulty reacclimating to home life in sleepy New England after his release, before leaving again for Syria and enduring imprisonment by ISIS. Read full review

Stephen Farber

Jan 28, 2016

Jim ultimately raises more questions than it can answer, so it cannot be considered a completely satisfying documentary. Nevertheless, it builds undeniable emotional force as it reaches its somber conclusion. Read full review

The Guardian Jordan Hoffman

Jan 29, 2016

The world needs people like Foley, and this film argues that cameras are every bit as important as firearms in the current struggle. This movie, despite its somewhat simplistic form, acts as a fine tribute to the man, his work and the bravery of others who are called to his field. Read full review

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User Reviews

3ebfan511

Jan 26, 2019

Going in, I thought the guy was an idiot for going into a war zone for a 2nd time...but the doc was better than I thought, and showed me a different side to him. Between actual footage he shot and actual accounts from people he was kidnapped with..it was pretty interesting, and emotionalGoing in, I thought the guy was an idiot for going into a war zone for a 2nd time...but the doc was better than I thought, and showed me a different side to him. Between actual footage he shot and actual accounts from people he was kidnapped with..it was pretty interesting, and emotional towards the end.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

LeZee

Feb 26, 2017

On the battlefront with a camera.

I thought it had a chance at the Oscars. But after checking out the nominees again, I realised it's in there, except a place in the list of Original Song. Having watched it, I know it is not a masterpiece as it should have been, but the film's intention wasOn the battlefront with a camera.

I thought it had a chance at the Oscars. But after checking out the nominees again, I realised it's in there, except a place in the list of Original Song. Having watched it, I know it is not a masterpiece as it should have been, but the film's intention was fulfilled. They have revealed everything we wanted to know. Everything from the Jim's perspective, though his friends and family. In some way this film can be compared to 'Into the Wild'. The only difference is what kind of challenge those two were chosen to face. In one, about the nature and in another, made made.

A man with no ambition, but he was desperate to do something and then finally he discovered what it is. So James Foley was an average American and had his family's backing of whatever he wanted to do with his life. But shocked them by announcing to be a photojournalist on the battlefront. His first volunteer assignment was in Libya. Made a few friends and ventured together to get what they wanted. Soon a terrible thing happened, but he did not back off. Following that he went to Syria and can he be second time lucky, is what the remaining tale discloses for us.

❝Jim has a million dollar resume and a ten cent interview.❞

First of all, I knew Jame Foley story through the media coverages when it hit the headline a couple of years ago. But I did not know this film was based on that, until I saw it. Not easy to watch if you have already known what's going to happen at the end or seen the original clip. I was uncomfortable watching the entire film. Because I think I'm too soft for such kind of conclusion. All I know is if it was the Bush administration, the response would have been different.

The film was directed by the Jim's childhood friend. I hope someday someone would make a feature film based on this documentary. If you had seen 'A Thousand Time Good Night', you would know what it is like to be in a combat zone. A similar kind of film, but the result was different. Those being the conflict journalists are really very brave to be at the frontline with the cameras, not the guns. Bullets and bombs flying everything, just one hit, totally fatal. Hats off to them to let us know what's happening in those parts of the world.

It covered well, all the basic information about Jim, before entering to the crucial section. When you know enough about him, you start to feel and see from his perspective. There are some recreated accounts, just to give the original effect. But you have to have your own imagination, as much as possible realistic like when you do for reading books. Because that's where it little slipped away, otherwise, and still it is a great documentary. This is a must see film, particularly if you are familiar with the name James Foley.

8/10… Expand

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